The Torn Hat 1820

"The Torn Hat" is an 1820 portrait by American painter Thomas Sully (1783-1872). The artwork is a close-up portrait of a young boy with a torn straw hat, which lends the painting its name. The boy's face is depicted with a candid and engaging expression, capturing a moment of youthful innocence. Sully's painting exemplifies the Romantic style prevalent in the early 19th century, characterized by a focus on emotion, individualism, and nature.